The perfect sofa is the sum of its parts; choose well

Your sofa is such an important part of your daily life that when it's time to get a new one, it's like adding a new member to your family. And just like family members, sofas have definite personalities. Here are some tips for picking the perfect one for your home:

Size it up:
Interior designers like to argue about whether it's more important for a sofa to fit the scale of your room or the contours of your body. The answer is, you need one that does both, because in the long run, you won't be happy with a sofa that isn't the perfect proportion for your room or for your posterior.

To make sure your sofa suits the space, before you shop, measure your room and make note of the size and scale of additional furniture you will need to work around. Then, as you shop, forget your inhibitions and flop down on the sofas just like you would at home. Your body will tell you in a flash if the sofa is a fit.

Pick the right parts:
Just like people, sofas have backs, arms, seats and legs. And if you're like most, you will have a strong preference on each facet of your sofa's anatomy.

First, pick a back that suits your taste and touch. If you want a formal, tailored look, check out a tight back design, where the back is upholstered and has no removable cushions. If you want a sofa that's more comfortable and casual, you might prefer a loose-back sofa that's covered with cushions or pillows.

Next, consider the arms. The most common style is a rolled arm that curves outward — an ideal pick for those who like to nap on the sofa. If you're looking for a more modern look, however, you might prefer a crisp, square arm. As important as arm shape is arm height. How high do you want your sofa's arm to come?

Third, decide whether you'd like your sofa to have a cushioned, bench or tight seat. Cushioned seats consist of separate cushions that fit snugly together, and they are a great option if you want to remove the covers for laundering. A bench seat is one large cushion that spans the entire length of the sofa. Tight seats are built into the frame of the sofa and cannot be removed. They are usually firmer and more formal in appearance.

Finally, look at the sofa's legs. Do you want a straight, modern leg, or a more traditional look, like curved legs on castors? Or would you rather cover the legs with a skirt featuring kick, inverted, button or box pleats?

Superb style:
If you're overwhelmed by the dizzying selection of sofa styles, start by checking out a few of these favorites:

The English or Club sofa was my pick for my own living room. This timeless style features slightly rounded arms set back from the rolled back. You can dress this sofa up or down simply by changing your accent pillows.